Load data for .32 H&R Mag using 98 - 100 gr bevel based full wadcutters?

[4given]

I have had no luck searching for Load data for .32 H&R Mag using 98 - 100 gr bevel based full wadcutters. I would like to push them to around 750 fps in a 2” bbl.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Wheelguns 1961]

I load mine with 2.5 grains of bullseye.

[Larry Gibson]

Try 1.9 to 2.5 gr Bullseye.

[4given]

Try 1.9 to 2.5 gr Bullseye.

I don’t have any bullseye right now but but I have Tight Group, AA #2, Hp-38, CFE
Pistol and a little Unique.

[Nobade]

Tight Group will do about the same thing as Bullseye. Somewhere between 1.5 and 2.0 grains.

[Larry Gibson]

What Nobade said.....

[Thumbcocker]

I use 2.5 of Promo

[Gar10]

I haven’t found any load data for 32 H&R using Accurate Solo 1000. Has anyone here ever used this powder for 32 H&R?

[RugerFan]

I'm using 2.5 gns of Unique.

[P Flados]

Quickload may not be super accurate, but it should get you close. QL shows 23496 psi as max, these are all well below that.

QL barrel length is muzzle to breech, so I use 3.5" for a 2" revolver.

Bullet is a swag, I guessed at 0.5" long. COAL is also a swag.

QL does not consider cylinder gap, so I assumed 50 fps



Cartridge : .32 H&R Magnum
Bullet : 100 gr x 0.5" long WC
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.150 inch = 29.21 mm
Barrel Length : 3.5 inch = 88.9 mm

C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Hodgdon Clays 58.4 2.1 0.14 800 100.0 18972 3097 0.524
Vihtavuori N310 49.6 2.2 0.14 800 100.0 16773 3326 0.561
Accurate Nitro 100 57.3 2.2 0.15 800 99.6 14837 3899 0.578
Alliant RED DOT 60.7 2.3 0.15 800 100.0 14954 3772 0.591
Accurate Solo 1000 57.8 2.4 0.16 800 99.9 15241 3763 0.572
Hodgdon TiteGroup 40.7 2.5 0.16 800 100.0 15140 3749 0.579
Alliant GREEN DOT 59.5 2.5 0.16 800 99.5 14428 4050 0.599
Vihtavuori N320 57.6 2.5 0.16 800 99.8 13845 4066 0.603
Shooters World Clean Shot 48.8 2.6 0.17 800 94.6 14648 4084 0.576
Alliant BULLSEYE 53.1 2.6 0.17 800 88.6 13494 4476 0.598
Hodgdon HP38 43.8 2.8 0.18 800 97.3 14223 4136 0.592
Ramshot Zip 44.3 2.8 0.18 800 96.5 14104 4189 0.594
Winchester 231 49.4 2.8 0.18 800 96.5 14104 4189 0.594
Accurate Solo 1250 62.9 2.8 0.18 800 95.0 13830 4255 0.595
Accurate No.2 59.7 3.0 0.19 800 85.5 14256 4295 0.582

[Gar10]

Thank you, P Flados for posting this information. Very much appreciated.

[4given]

I just ordered a copy of the Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook 3rd Edition Reloading Manual. I am told it has the answers we seek. I’ll let you all know when it comes in.

[4given]

I just ordered a copy of the Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook 3rd Edition Reloading Manual. I am told it has the answers we seek. I’ll let you all know when it comes in.


I just ordered a copy of the Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook 3rd Edition Reloading Manual. I am told it has the answers we seek. I’ll let you all know when it comes in.

The manual came in. It only has data for a 90 gr swaged HBWC and a bunch of jacketed bullets. Lists starting loads with a number of different powders so that is helpful. Not exactly what I was hoping for but it helps.


https://i.imgur.com/2Aoa3oF.jpg

[racepres]

My Lyman 2nd edition, Pistol & Revolver book, shows a 95gr full wadcutter load of 3.0 gr of Unique netting 751fps, in 32 H&R Mag
slightly faster with 2.5 of 231. Betting the 3rd edition Cast manual has the Same...Edit; The 47th has same loadings!
My experience with BE-86 thusfar has been that a Grain for Grain comparison with Unique results in almost identical performance...
Note of Caution...I have Not got to the H&R Mag loadings yet...May be awhile, because I like AA#5 so Darn much in 32H&R as well as 32S&WL.
I have fooled with BE-86 in 32S&W (no L)...so far No Surprises!

[4given]

From Speer #13

https://i.imgur.com/SiOhNGf.jpg

[MT Gianni]

I would expect a cast wc to hold a lot more lube and be of a significantly harder alloy than hbwc's coming with a factory dipped lube. They should hold up to quite a bit more pressure and velocity.

[4given]

I would expect a cast wc to hold a lot more lube and be of a significantly harder alloy than hbwc's coming with a factory dipped lube. They should hold up to quite a bit more pressure and velocity.

I concur. I’ll be using MBC coated 98gr cast wadcutters. This data will give me a great place to start.

Here is data from Reload Ammo (formerly MD Smith Reloading Pages):

98 Grain HBWC lead (.314″)

Bullseye 2.3 gr. 810 (max)
Unique 4.0 gr. 998 (max)

[rintinglen]

That Unique load is pretty stout.

That is the max load for the 32-98 SWC in the RCBS Cast Manual, which is not renowned for its mild loading. I would start at 3.0 were I you. The Lyman 4th edition has some data for the RCBS 32-98 WC, but it is very much underloaded. It would appear that they used data for a HBWC and simply stuck an RCBS flat based boolit in the case and called it good.

[racepres]

But..When you shoot the above H&R Mag load of Unique...you will find it Mild Indeed..
I personally have Not cared for the Cast full wadcutters...certainly Not in H&R Mag.. But, delight in SWC's
Near as I can tell...those Hollow base WC's are for S&W Long Target loads... and should be loaded accordingly...Just like HB 38 SPL.

[P Flados]

That Unique load is pretty stout.

The old 2004 Alliant booklet had 4.0 gr of Unique under a 98 LRN with COAL 1.32 for the 32 H&R Mag with pressure shown as 19000 psi.

Note that the COAL above is rather long but the lack of any info that would allow determination of bullet length makes seating depth a mystery.

Quickload says the max press for the 32 H&R mag is 23496 psi. With 4.0 Unique and a Lee 93 adjusted to 98 gr, it gives 19000 psi as the predicted pressure with a seating depth of 0.339".

[FAAFO6]

Since this thread is on .32 H&H Mag loads I would like to ask for some help / guidance on loading some 118 grain bullets that I was given. They measure 0.3131 diameter and look VERY much like the Lyman #3118 RNFP bullet, but I obviously am just guessing on that. I am NOT looking for any maximum loads per se but merely some starting load help for mild to moderate loadings for use with .32 H&R brass in a Smith M631. I've looked everywhere for any info using heavy ( over 100 gr bullets ) but only find .327 Mag or 32-20 data. I have W231 / HP38, Unique, Accurate #5, HS6 and 2400 powders on the shelf. I would appreciate it, thanks.

[racepres]

I can only offer that the Lyman pistol/revolver manual, second edition, Shows a Contender loading of .308, 125 jacketed soft points..
starting at 3.2 of Unique, and 2.5 of 231, 4.4 of HS-6, HS-6 providing the highest velocity.
I would Not be all that Uncomfortable Starting a Cast 118 at 2.7 gr of Unique...Personally. As that is where Lyman Starts with a 100 Gr cast, claiming 12,100 CUP... To err on the conservative side...I am betting (on your Nickel) that 2 plus, grains of Unique won't "stick" a cast Boolit..
Hoping you have the luxury of load, and step out back door to Shoot!!!

[P Flados]

Selecting a desired pressure of say 17000 psi in Quickload (QL) should get you in the ballpark for a "mid range" 32 H&R.

QL does not have the 3118, but does have a 311441 that is set to 120 gr in the database. Note that QL barrel length is muzzle to breech and that it does not factor in cylinder gap (I generally subtract 50 fps from the prediction).

I also did a run with 20000 psi. I have a similar gun and would not use QL for any loads past this pressure level. I included a few of your powders for this one. Note that at this pressure level I consider the 0.500" seating depth to be a maximum value and to be important. Especially the 2400 given the high percent fill.



Cartridge : .32 H&R Magnum
Bullet : .308, 117, LYM LFN GC 311441
Seating depth : .500
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.267 inch = 32.18 mm
Barrel Length : 5.7 inch = 144.8 mm

C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant UNIQUE 71.6 2.8 0.18 882 97.6 17000 2489 0.829
Accurate No.5 54.1 3.4 0.22 879 85.7 17000 2615 0.816
Shooters World Auto Pistol 54.1 3.4 0.22 879 85.6 17000 2615 0.816
Hodgdon Longshot 56.5 3.4 0.22 877 90.6 17000 2539 0.819
Hodgdon HS-6 59.2 3.5 0.23 875 88.3 17000 2543 0.819
Alliant BULLSEYE 60.0 2.4 0.16 864 97.9 17000 2324 0.820
Hodgdon HP38 48.0 2.4 0.16 827 100.0 17000 1872 0.840
Shooters World Clean Shot 52.7 2.2 0.15 819 99.7 17000 1900 0.838
Alliant GREEN DOT 64.8 2.2 0.14 817 100.0 17000 1773 0.855
Alliant RED DOT 64.9 1.9 0.13 797 100.0 17000 1622 0.864

Alliant 2400 99.1 5.7 0.37 969 64.2 20000 3340 0.744 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.5 58.2 3.6 0.23 937 88.6 20000 2875 0.756 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant UNIQUE 77.4 3.0 0.20 936 98.9 20000 2678 0.767 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon HS-6 63.6 3.8 0.25 932 91.1 20000 2780 0.759 ! Near Maximum !

[HumptyDumpty]

From Speer #13

https://i.imgur.com/SiOhNGf.jpg

Hmm, in my succesful endeavor to duplicate Buffalo Bore's ballistics in my 32 S&W with Red Dot, it appears that I have exceeded the 32 H&R, at least according to that edition of Speer. But I am not noticing any signs of excessive pressure in my H&R 733:Fire:

[racepres]

Hmm, in my succesful endeavor to duplicate Buffalo Bore's ballistics in my 32 S&W with Red Dot, it appears that I have exceeded the 32 H&R, at least according to that edition of Speer. But I am not noticing any signs of excessive pressure in my H&R 733:Fire:
Not knowing what yer loading...I cannot comment.
I will comment that I would be hesitant to go over "book" with wadcutters...certainly Hollow base...But...as I have said, I dislike Wadcutters in my .32's.. certainly Not putting one in my 32S&W (no L)
I will soon be on the search for 88-90 gr Round Nose tho!!! No Mold!!!!

[HumptyDumpty]

Not knowing what yer loading...I cannot comment.
I will comment that I would be hesitant to go over "book" with wadcutters...certainly Hollow base...But...as I have said, I dislike Wadcutters in my .32's.. certainly Not putting one in my 32S&W (no L)
I will soon be on the search for 88-90 gr Round Nose tho!!! No Mold!!!!

100 Grain SWC, 2.7 Grains of Red Dot. According to Speer No 8 (printed in 1970), that is actually below max for the S&W Long. This might be an example of downloading over the years. 324304

[FAAFO6]

A big thank you to the responders! You have definitely helped give me some excellent information for my question and a big help to keep me out of trouble with this .32 H&R. I'm a long time reloader ( 59 years ) of other handgun calibers but this .32 stuff is a whole new venue for me so out of caution I figured to reach out to you fellows with the experience. Thanks, again.